Behind-The-Scenes Of President Obama's Campaign

Behind-The-Scenes Of President Obama's Campaign

It was 3 o'clock in the morning in Davenport, Iowa, and INSIDE EDITION's Paul Boyd was up and at it.

That's right—3:00 a.m. and it's already full speed ahead on the campaign trail and INSIDE EDITION's Paul Boyd was there as President Obama went on a 48 hour marathon, criss-crossing the USA.

It all started in Iowa, where the hotel lobby was completely deserted as Boyd got on the press bus and rode in total darkness to the first rally.

At 6:00 a.m. final preparations were being made for President Obama's first campaign event of the day. Thousands of supporters would fill the area and every last detail had been thought of, including the placement of American flags and campaign signage in just the right position for TV cameras.

At 8:00 a.m. the president took the stage to cheers from the crowd packing the field. Police snipers kept close watch from a nearby rooftop.

After the rally, the press corps travelling with the president was bussed to the airport where Boyd boarded a chartered plane for the three-hour flight to Denver.

Boyd gulped down a turkey sandwich before they landed at 2:00 p.m. for the next campaign appearance.

After finishing a Secret Service sweep in Denver, Boyd saw the massive turnout where people actually climbed trees to get a better look at President Obama. A helicopter circled overhead as the president's motorcade arrived.

One Obama supporter dressed as Big Bird. She waited for hours in front of the stage just so she could meet the president.

Boyd asked, "Why are you dressed as Big Bird today?"

"Because I'm a public educator and I watch public television and I am for Obama," said the supporter.

The president shook hands with everyone he could reach before leaving for his next stop on the 48-hour marathon. Even with all the non-stop TV ads in the battleground states, rallies are still the bread and butter of the presidential campaign.

In Richmond, Virginia, Boyd waited under a tent for the president to arrive for his exclusive interview. The place was packed and some folks even fainted under the hot sun.